May 4 - 8

We have two more Mondays left :)  I gave the Chapter 11 Math test today and started Chapter 12.  As I mentioned last week, I am going to double up on lessons in Chapter 12 to finish by May 15, but will only send home one homework sheet.  Thanks for hanging tough and helping your child with their homework during these last few weeks of school.  I will only send home spelling words for the next two weeks, and the April Reading Record is now due.  Remember that I will only give a treat and certificate if that is turned in by this Wednesday, May 6.  The May Reading record has been sent home and will be due on Friday, May 15 as well as all homework.

We have three more students that have joined the ranks of reading 100 books--Dante, Kylee and Kelsie have all read 100 books!!  Dante keeps reading and has almost reached 150 books!  For every 25 books read, your child can receive a book and a treat.  The conclusion of this challenge is Friday, May 15.  I will not accept lists after that date.

I sent home the permission slip for the two May field trips (museum and swimming).  I have enough parents to accompany us to the museum, but could use one or two more helpers on swimming day.  If you can help with the swimming field trip please send me an e-mail.  I have also had one parent volunteer to help with water  balloons for our field day on May 15 (big, busy day).  If you could help with water balloons (filling them up and getting them to the park by 11:00 a.m.) you can also send me an e-mail.  For the museum field trip, all students have ordered a school sack lunch (yay!).  I failed to mention that if you child is on reduced or free lunch that that lunch will be covered as if they are eating at school.

Today my students that were in attendance took a reading test.  It is called RLA--it is a reading inventory test that puts your child on a specific reading level.  I was excited as the longer they are with the examiner the more they are reading.  We took the whole half an hour to test and then some so my little first graders are becoming better readers!!   On Friday, we take the DIBELS reading assessment.  I will make pancakes before they take that test.  I will make them first thing that morning, and we will test at 10:00 a.m.  Please help your child by getting them to bed on time the night before.

I am reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and on the last Wednesday of school, May 20, we along with Mrs. Vogel's class will watch the original version of the movie (rated G with Gene Wilder) and have popcorn and chocolate.  I wanted to make you aware that we will be watching that movie in class.  If any of you have concerns with that movie please again, don't hesitate to e-mail me.

This is the last week for Take-home books and the last week that students can check out library books.  All library books will be due on May 15!  If your child returns both of their books and/or pays the appropriate fine they will be able to get a book to keep on Friday May 15.  Please turn in all take-home books by Friday, May 8 or pay the $5.00 fine to the office.

Lastly, it's Teacher Appreciation week and I so appreciate being your child's teacher.  This is a beautiful class of students, one that I will miss dearly.  As part of this week of festivities, tomorrow the students were encouraged to wear their teacher's favorite color tomorrow--my favorite color is green :)

Happy Reading!!